Project to replace 48 ageing homes in Malvern

A HOUSING association says people who are moved out of their homes for a £1 million regeneration project will have first refusal on the new flats when work is completed.

The project involves demolishing 48 ageing maisonettes in Pickersleigh Grove, Malvern, and building about 90 new units on the site.

Some of the new flats will be sold to help finance the project and the rest will remain with Festival Housing as social housing.Residents had said they were worried about being moved out and not being able to return.

Duncan Smith, of Festival Housing, said: “The existing housing dates back to the late 40s or early 50s and was originally built with a 25-year lifespan in mind.

“That lifespan has been more than doubled. The houses are very energy-inefficient, and it would cost us millions to bring them up to date. By spending much less money, we can replace them with modern sustainable housing.”

But Mr Smith said about 60 per cent of the new units will be retained by Festival, and existing tenants will have first refusal on moving back.

He said: “We will have to find the residents alternative accommodation while we carry out the work, and our experience is that some will want to move back, and others will decide to stay in their new accommodation.”

Festival held a consultation evening for local residents to explain the plan. Mr Smith said: “I think there was a positive reaction. It costs a lot to heat the existing accommodation and many residents like the idea of lower heating bills.”

Festival is hoping to submit a planning application later this year, with work starting in summer 2014.

Comments

£1m to build 90 flats? That would be most impressive. I reckon it's more likely £10m.
Misprint, perhaps?

£1m to build 90 flats? That would be most impressive. I reckon it's more likely £10m.
Misprint, perhaps?Maggie Would

£1m to build 90 flats? That would be most impressive. I reckon it's more likely £10m.
Misprint, perhaps?

Score: 0

Norah61
7:44pm Fri 8 Feb 13

It's all well and good giving the residents 'first refusal' on a new flat but what if the home they are forced to leave is a 'bungalow' with a garden and they want a like for like home? Why are houses and bungalows being replaced by boxes containing smaller boxes on many levels?

It's all well and good giving the residents 'first refusal' on a new flat but what if the home they are forced to leave is a 'bungalow' with a garden and they want a like for like home? Why are houses and bungalows being replaced by boxes containing smaller boxes on many levels?Norah61

It's all well and good giving the residents 'first refusal' on a new flat but what if the home they are forced to leave is a 'bungalow' with a garden and they want a like for like home? Why are houses and bungalows being replaced by boxes containing smaller boxes on many levels?

Score: 0

Andy1955
2:01am Sat 9 Feb 13

Don't forget compensation that they are required by law to give you... Also you don't HAVE to accept their offer!!! Ax

Don't forget compensation that they are required by law to give you... Also you don't HAVE to accept their offer!!! AxAndy1955

Don't forget compensation that they are required by law to give you... Also you don't HAVE to accept their offer!!! Ax

Score: 0

CJH
2:13am Sat 9 Feb 13

Andy1955 wrote…

Don't forget compensation that they are required by law to give you... Also you don't HAVE to accept their offer!!! Ax

They are Housing Association flats. Rented. All they have to do is give the notice agreed in the rental agreements which the tenants would have signed.

[quote][p][bold]Andy1955[/bold] wrote:
Don't forget compensation that they are required by law to give you... Also you don't HAVE to accept their offer!!! Ax[/p][/quote]They are Housing Association flats. Rented. All they have to do is give the notice agreed in the rental agreements which the tenants would have signed.CJH

Andy1955 wrote…

Don't forget compensation that they are required by law to give you... Also you don't HAVE to accept their offer!!! Ax

They are Housing Association flats. Rented. All they have to do is give the notice agreed in the rental agreements which the tenants would have signed.

Score: 0

Lew Smoralz
8:40pm Sat 9 Feb 13

Brownfield developments need all the encouragement we can give them.

Shameful that those prefabs have been allowed to stand for as long as they have. They were considered as temporary housing when they were first erected!

Brownfield developments need all the encouragement we can give them.
Shameful that those prefabs have been allowed to stand for as long as they have. They were considered as temporary housing when they were first erected!Lew Smoralz

Brownfield developments need all the encouragement we can give them.

Shameful that those prefabs have been allowed to stand for as long as they have. They were considered as temporary housing when they were first erected!

Ipsoregulated

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